I followed the prince to the limo whilst staring back at the house we had never chosen, the house was given by them to make sure we couldn’t leave; we weren't allowed anything that would give us a social standing among the mortals. We were made to look poor and isolated; the human neighbours would have already been told that we were criminals, that we weren't to be approached.
Though, this only happens to the families who try and run, try and escape their fate, not all witches must live as we did. Under constant watch. Some got to live a normal life, only being called upon when they were needed, it all depended on what power you were born with.
I looked up at Silas who stood above six foot, watching as he opened the car door, indicating that I should get in, and I almost obeyed...
“Luna!” My mother screamed in a panic from the front door; her brown eyes coated in terror. “Luna run!”
I pulled my arm from the grip of the vampire prince, though I was aware that he had allowed me to do so; if he wished to keep me within his grasp, he would have easily been able to stop me. I ran back towards my mother, jumping into her arms, tears sliding down my cheeks.
Why would she tell me to run? She knew what happened to those who ran, she knew the consequences of saying it. So, why? How could she make that mistake?
I sobbed into her shoulder, ensuring that my voice was low; though I knew they would still hear me, they always did. “Mother please, what is going on?”
“My sweet Luna, I cannot say.” My mother cried, stroking my hair as I tightened my grip around her neck. In a lower tone, within my mind, she said; “Luna they know, they know what you can do. They are going to use you against the rebels. You must run.”
I gasped; they knew? How was that possible, we hid it so well...? Didn’t we? We ensured I showed no power in their company, we ensured I didn’t use my gifts. But that didn’t change anything, I couldn’t run, they would kill me. They would kill her. I eased myself down, I couldn’t talk to her the way she could talk to me, all I could do was shake my head and hope she understood that I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t escape. It was too late for that.
“If you won't run, fight. I know what you can do. Use it.” She mentally scolded me, running her hands down my cheeks.
Again, I shook my head. I couldn’t risk it; couldn’t risk her life. I needed to know she was safe. I already lost my father; I could not lose my mother too. I prayed she wouldn’t hate me for being a coward, for not doing as she begged, but could she blame me? I didn’t want her to die, I didn’t want to die.
Yet, what she asked would bring only that. Even if I somehow managed to use my hectic power, there would be no guarantee that I would make it out of the city alive, and I would be all alone. I would have to fend for myself. Ownerless.
It may sound foolish to some, but I couldn’t live on my own, not at my age, the mortals would not take me in, and I would be found. There is no escape for someone like me, there never would be. It was too late to wish for a better life; I was too far engraved into their minds to wish for something else, something better.
They knew what I looked like, they had photos of me, of my mother. Running is not an option. Not now, not ever.
Silas walked towards us, a small smile etched across his face, promising that whatever was to come of me; would not be pleasant. I stepped away from my mother, bowing my head as she did the same. Did he know my mother’s power? Did he know she could speak to me without uttering a word? If he did, we were in trouble. More trouble than I could imagine.
“Yes, he knows what I can do Luna. He knows I want you to run. Please daughter this may be your only chance.” She whispered desperately within my mind.
I froze, of course my mother could hear my thoughts, she was gifted beyond anything I else that I knew. But I couldn’t obey her, I couldn’t run, surely, she could accept that. I was afraid, always afraid. but with a life like mine, the strongest of souls would crumble. I had seen first-hand the power of a vampire against a witch, I was no match for them. My father had been no match for them. What made her think differently? What made her think that I could make a difference?
Silas smiled down at me as I lifted my head, his fangs pressing into his bottom lip. “What are you both talking about, I would love to hear it. So please, indulge me.”
“Nothing sir, I was simply saying goodbye to my daughter.” My mother lied, her crimson hair blowing wildly in the cool night wind. Silently, just to me; she said. “Luna do it now! He will kill us if you do not run!”
I gasped inwardly, attempting to appear composed on the outside, but my poker face had never been that good and the vampire prince saw right through me. He knew that she was lying all because of me, because I was too afraid to move.
“I don’t believe that you are telling me the truth Sarah.” He growled, the several other creatures who stood separated on the front lawn all beginning to walk towards us, their eyes glowing in against the lights coming from the house. “What are you saying to the girl?!”
“Luna. I’m sorry.” the words echoed through my mind as my mother launched herself forward, crashing into Silas and knocking him back, she had managed to catch him by surprise. But that wouldn’t last.
Silas recovered quickly, his fiery eyes alight with fury; his long brown hair tattered and knotted as he lifted my mother from the ground. He growled, quickly snapping her neck as he sunk his fangs into her wrist, draining her of the essence witches carry within their blood at the moment they die. An essence that will make a vampire stronger, give him abilities he otherwise wouldn’t have, my mother’s blood was like mine, it was special in a way only they could use, it would allow certain pure breeds of vampires to walk in the daylight, to reside amongst the living.I screamed, dropping to my knees, the cold winter air chilling me, making it difficult to breathe as I could do nothing but tremble; I was a failure. I couldn’t save her. I should have listened, I should have run, maybe then she would still be alive.I could have taken her with me, we could have gotten to the border, we could have finally had a life worth living. But I didn’t,
Silas Bancroft slid into the car beside me, quickly shutting the door and tapping the roof, indicating to the driver that we were ready to go; though where we were going, I didn’t know. Perhaps he was taking me to the king, or to his own city that resided under the streets of Paris, whichever it was; I would be trapped underground for the rest of my life, however long that may be.I shifted nervously beside him, my heart racing recklessly as I opened my eyes, keeping them locked onto my bare feet. What would happen once we reached our destination? What did Prince Bancroft want with me?I turned to look up at my owner, wondering if it was because of my powers, because I could destroy vampires with the rays of the sun; or was it that I could shapeshift? Both were rare gifts, something that not many received; nor were they something that you lived to talk about once the hierarchy found out.Though, I was still a young witch I knew most of what magic was banne
I stirred slightly, the road suddenly rougher than what I was used to, but my mind refused to comprehend where I was, or what was happening; still partially asleep.I turned onto my side, curling up into a tight ball as I took a deep breath, attempting to come around and fully wake. I shivered, not entirely sure what was going on around me, voices and shouting coming from somewhere far off in the distance. I slowly began to remember all that had happened the night before, Prince Silas Bancroft coming to my home and killing my mother and taking me into his care, and whilst he wasn’t completely vicious, I didn’t trust him.A witch should never trust a vampire, especially one that could command an entire army to hunt you down should you decide to run. I pealed open my eyes, the blacked-out windows preventing me from seeing exactly where we were, or even where we might be. I blinked against the harsh lighting the limo, my heart beginning to race as my e
I tried to look anywhere else, somewhere there weren't as many people, but that seemed impossible as they surrounded us on all sides, their eyes glowing against the torches that they held. I briefly closed my eyes, taking in a calming breath as the prince grabbed my wrist, dragging me towards him. What would happen now? Why were there so many vampires around? Where had he taken me?I glanced around in apprehension, not knowing what was going to happen, or if I would live to see another day. I knew that they could all hear my heart racing, and that only made it worse, they all knew that I was afraid, that I wouldn’t be able to control myself or my power should this continue. Just behind the crowd to the left was a large building, deciding that I should concentrate on something other than my demise, I watched it, taking in every detail. The castle had eleven massively round towers, all connected to the large dark grey stone walls, the chunky building behind them e
I took a step back as a figure emerged from the crowd, though I could not move far a Silas still held my wrist tightly in his grasp, ensuring that I would stay by his side. The figure stepped into the light, allowing me to get a closer look at him as he approached, his hand hovering over his sheathed weapon. A long sword. He had eyes the darkest shade of maroon I had ever seen, his short wavy hair a beautiful blonde; perfectly neat and clean. He towered over me as he stepped towards the prince, standing at about five-foot-nine.“Ah. Ezio Caprotti. What a pleasure it is to see you.” Silas smiled warmly, something I hadn't seen before, not from a vampire.Ezio smiled back, his shoulder bones visible through his white buttoned shirt, his black trousers clinging to his skin. He had a very rough demeanour about him, his sharp nose and stubble quite intimidating; or maybe it was simply the fact that he would be able to kill me with a single wave of his hand. Eith
“Berus.” Silas called into the crowd, waiting as a dark figure emerged from the crowd, a black aura surrounding him.I lifted my head slightly so that I could see him, this large cloak covering a hunched frame, a large, bony hand holding onto an oak staff which was twisted up towards the heavens, an elegantly placed crystal ball attached to the top, the oak curling around it. His face was covered partially by his wavy silver hair, his amethyst eyes shining through, promising me a world of pain should I take even a single step out of line. His dark blue cloak was tattered and old, the colour fading ever so slightly, his skin sagging and wrinkled. I knew of this warlock, I knew that he was a necromancer, that he could raise other witches and mortals form the dead. He had a dangerous gift, one that many feared much like mine, I had thought they all lived in the tribes of Scotland, but clearly, I had been misinformed.He turned to look down at me just before he
I sighed slightly with relief, I hadn’t known what to expect, but I was beginning to like Blanche as a person, she was so witty and bubbly; something I wasn’t used to. But how could she be so happy when she was forced to work under such a creature as Berus? How could she smile when she must listen to his every command without hesitation or objection? I followed her out of the small room, neither of us needing to say another word, the ice had been broken and now we could walk silently, yet; it wasn’t an awkward silence. It was strangely comfortable and nice, something that I had never been able to experience whilst with my parents, they were always so on edge and scared of what would come barrelling through the door.My shoulders drooped at the thought of my parents, knowing that I would never see them again hurt, more than I could have imagined. But they had been killed, ripped from the world by vampires and there was noth
“That is awful, I am really sorry. But, why did he pick you, what is your power?” I asked her, thinking that I had stepped out of line, that maybe I should have left the questions for another day.Blanche placed the scrambled egg in front of me, with two slices of toast before moving back towards the cooker to finish her own. “Well, the same as Berus, I can conjure the dead, bring people back from the other side. It isn't easy, and takes a lot of practice, but once I got the hang of it, I became a natural. If I could say so, I am now just as strong as my master.”I nodded, unsure if I completely understood, but more than a little terrified, that was a banned power, much like my own. Was the prince collecting those that were more powerful than the average witch or warlock? Why did he want me? I couldn’t exactly control my ability yet, nor could I shape shift into anything other than a domestic house cat, what use